Boeing is expanding its defence presence in SA, with Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) signing a partnership agreement last week with the SA Government to open a new office in Adelaide’s CBD.
BDA’s growth in SA builds on support programs currently operating in the state including for the E-7A Wedgetail, P-8A Poseidon and Collins Class submarine.
BDA vice president and managing director Darren Edwards said the new office will encompass research, development and innovation programs spanning C3I, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and advanced experimentation and prototyping.
“Boeing Defence Australia is committed to building local capability in South Australia. One way we are doing this is by investing $500,000 over five years in the Techstars Adelaide global accelerator program to support South Australia’s entrepreneurial start-ups,” Edwards said.
“We also know that partnerships with higher education institutions are critical for preparing today’s students with tomorrow’s skills for defence industry capability and advancing innovation. To that end, this year we have invested $7,000 with the 2017 Defence Honours Scholarship Program and look forward to expanding our education partnerships with South Australian universities.”
SA Premier Jay Weatherill said companies such as Boeing Defence Australia are an exciting part of the state’s future.
“South Australia will become a strategic hub for Boeing Defence Australia, creating around 250 new highly skilled technical and advanced research positions.
“These skilled roles will offer significant sustainable employment opportunities to young South Australian graduates, with the added benefit of creating jobs with defence contractors and significant numbers of indirect jobs.”
Boeing’s new office will be officially opened by Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne on April 12.